INDIAN COLD START DOCTRINE
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1.
The Concept.
Indian Cold Start Doctrine envisages applying
linear ground forces for multiple thrusts, backed by massive fire power
well before Pakistan completes its mobilization and international
community can intervene.
2.
The doctrine emphasizes to strike offensively but without giving
battle indicators of mobilization to maintain chances of strategic
surprise while remaining below nuclear threshold.
3.
Political decision for war would be taken at the outset.
4.
Broad Contours.
Traditional operational art of maintaining
distinction between strike and defensive formations will be done away
with. The war is planned to be fought by integrated Battle Groups (IBGs)
synergized / supported by IAF and IN.
Since the Integrated Battle Groups would be pre-positioned closer
5.
to international border / Line of control, these would commence
operations with least build up 1 preparation and would thus achieve
surprise.
6.
Shaping the Battle Field through New Concept of War (NCW),
incorporating all available technical driven assets and fire power
platforms like IAF, IN, Artillery & SSMs etcetera would remain the hall
mark of lndian offensive.
7.
Cold Start scenario would require overwhelming Air superiority and
integrated Close Air Support (CAS).
8.
Concurrently, Special Forces (SF) would be utilized to create
paralyzing effect through operational and strategic interdiction behind
enemy defences.
9.
Maior Factors Leading to the Conceptualization of Cold Start
Doctrine. Indian military planners think that there is space available
for a short notice, short duration war with curtailed objectives despite
the nuclear factor.
10. Nuclear capability has added to Pakistan's security by impinging
upon India's liberty of action under the nuclear overhang. As the
efficacy of all out conventional war within the nuclear environment
became questionable, lndia started studying the possibility of a limited
conflict with curtailed application of military instrument and objectives.
Therefore, nuclearisation of the Sub-Continent has brought a paradigm
shift in the security landscape and strategic balance in the region.
11. To overcome the edge of Pakistani mobilization differential, exploit
the initial Pakistani defence vulnerabilities and prevent international
intervention, .adoption of Hit and Mobilize Concept was adopted instead
of Mobilization and Hit.
12. The lndian military planners felt that the long mobilization period
provided space for intervention to the major international players
inhibiting lndia from realizing her politico - military aim through
application of military instrument.
13. Edifice of the doctrine highlights a shift in lndian Armed Forces in
general and Army in particular from a defensive reactive strategic
thinking to a more pro active approach by seizing early initiative in
any confrontation.
14.
Security Implications
a.
lndian Cold Start Strategy is a threat to strategic stability of
South Asia. lndian growing military prowess I capabilities
and aggressive designs are implied with war provoking
intent by practical manifestation of Cold Start Doctrine.
Hit and Mobilize concept would further squeeze space for
diplomacy I political maneuvers for avoiding conflict.
c.
This strategy is likely to increase the threat in an
unpredictable manner at various rungs of the escalation
ladder.
d.
It is inherently flawed to further engage nuclear South Asia
in an arms race rather than diverting the efforts and
resources to alleviate the social needs of the poor segments
in the societies.
e.
Strategic equilibrium presently prevalent in the Subcontinent
would
be
impacted
with
negative
repercussions.